Windows 7 experience

[Owen W Veteran]

What are you comparing the speed against? I am comparing the OS responsiveness against XP x64 SP2. I am also comparing speed of opening things like Photoshop CS3. It seems to take longer than in XP to go from A to B in the UI, even with those annoying animations disabled. By responsiveness I mean, the time between me clicking something and me getting a result. I don't feel like timing it, but if XP needs 1/50 of a second to open Explorer then 7 is more like 1/12 of a second... :/

Do you know how I could specify where to search (computer, etc) and how (+hidden, +system files, -zip files) before searching? Is there any way to enable classic search (Windows 2000 style) - I would love that! :D Or is there an alternative to Windows Search?

One thing that is odd is that regedit search is STILL not SMP optimized - it just does not use 100% of my both cores to search the registry - odd.

I think it needs tweaking, lot and lots of tweaking. Did anyone disable WFP?

Do not get me wrong, W7 is excellent in all departments, except diagnosing crash on boot problems and performance

To search for hidden files and to specify where to search, use the windows search hotkey: WIN + F

[Thunderbuck]

I installed the build 7000 beta on a newly-built machine, and even though it suffered a few quirks (all of which I attribute to so-so VIA chipset drivers), I was really impressed with Win7 in a lot of areas.

I was so impressed, in fact, that I decided to pull the RC off the torrents. This is something I almost never do, but since MS is giving it away in a couple of weeks anyway...

I also decided to tempt fate and attempt an upgrade of my beloved Q9550 Vista x64 machine. The upgrade was almost flawless; I needed to reinstall software for my Microsoft hardware (keyboard, mouse, and LifeCam), and of course I had to dispense with OneCare.

I'll admit, I don't see a lot of difference in performance, but this was a pretty good machine before, anyway.

I look forward to upgrading when RTM comes out. Probably Pro--I'm having a hard time seeing the benefit of Ultimate.

[j1232]

having some fun with it considering I would not be able to install the thing in the first place but after a whim of trying again I recived a magical whistle and like flew to windows 7 from xp.

As you can see in my magical picture I am a 1.0 on the rating scale Thank you very much!

[PGHammer]

I tried installing Win7 (beta 1 x64) on my laptop (dual boot with Vista) and while it is impressive, I'd hardly ditch Vista and start using the beta as my main OS. The minimalistic approach with the tool bars actually annoys me, I don't want just text and it would of been nice to at least have an option to turn the icons back on like Vista. It doesn't detect my graphics chipset (GeForce 9500M GS) properly and as a result it's quite unstable in that part (but I blame Nvidia for that, they are on the ball with the desktop boards but leave the laptop users behind, typical), I did try visiting that Laptopvideotogo website to get the modified infs to use the desktop drivers, but that didn't end well and had to format and reinstall! The new Media Centre is very impressive and works much better then Vista's but seems MPEG2 support has been disabled (anyone get that working again?) and it still needs alot work though. Application compatibility is definitely much better then Vista and it does run very smooth to the most part. It's definitely a good OS and the improved Media Centre definitely has my attention, will I upgrade to 7 come release day? maybe, but I'll wait till RC1 before making a definitive decision though.

Actually I will likely shift to using 7 RC as the main OS in a week IF I can upgrade the RAM and graphics hardware I have now. The software I run (along with all the hardware) is explicitly supported in 7 (either by 7 directly or via easily-downloadable drivers). My games all work (in fact they work better in 7 than in Vista). I have a low-end desktop (that I built myself); however I push it like Harris pushed Mahoney (the original Police Academy); the fact that 7 DOESN'T "throw up" (consider that I run the 64-bit version with but a gigabyte of RAM!) at load levels that either Vista or XP32 would have trouble surviving says volumes.

[bbfc_uk]

I just installed Build 7100 this morning and so far having the same great experience as I have had with previous builds. Its quick, boy is it quick, its just so snappy!!

[Michael S]

I tested the Beta over several computers and found it working well.

Speed: 5 - much faster than my Windows Vista SP1 HP OEM pre-installed, but still with space to improve;

The looks: 5 - also better than Vista, but high DPI still need improvement;

Overall: 6.

[Tirnaog]

not on the RC yet, but the BETA became a dog using that Anti-vius app for me.

Took it off and tried NOD32 and the speed is back.

Didn't like that other app at all. Beyond the speed it never stopped asking permission every 3 seconds it seemed. Even my wife got annoyed by it.

After installing the 32bit version of Windows 7 last night, I'm still left a bit cold by it. The install was flawless and after a couple of updates everything seemed to be going well. After firing-up my PC in the evening to have another look at the OS, it just seems so "laggy" I don't know what's happened. I did install an anti-virus program (Kaspersky Beta) and did a defrag and cleaned up the install with CCleaner. I have had IE8 crash out on me a few times as well. Are there any trick for speeding up Windows 7? My Rig's spec shouldn't cause any problems:

Dell Inspiron 530

Q6600 QC

4GB DDR2 800mhz

HD4850 512mb

360gb SATA2 HD

[bbfc_uk]

I've been reading some posts on the Windows 7 TechNet site and i can't stop laughing... some people are so stupid and the comments are just laughable. If you don't have a basic knowledge of installing an OS and/or Beta Testing then you shouldn't be doing it! At least the people on here are knowledgable and understand what they are doing.

[Dropdownmenulover]

My only complaint is with the UI. If you disable ClearType (I'm one of those for whom the color fringing makes text unreadable), you still see it on certain headers, etc... It's really frustrating that disabling ClearType doesn't actually disable it. One of the few times I've yelled at an Operating System.... :o

"BAD WINDOWS 7! STOP FORCING CLEARTYPE ON ME! I DO NOT LIKE YOU!"

And so forth. Only with more profanity.

[em3]

Is it just me or does the public RC seem a lot faster than the public Beta?

[bbfc_uk]

Is it just me or does the public RC seem a lot faster than the public Beta?

Definately. Every new build for me was quicker than its predecessor, and the RC is blazing fast on my laptop.

[CrazyK]

64 bit edition had some problems with my product key, ended up trying 3 different keys from MS, 3rd time lucky.

OS is stable, less customisation than XP which is a disappointment as I like to place things in certain places. The library feature seems basic and not really something I will use as I don't wish to include whole folders.

I know I have to use 7 as XP is now old but its going to be a struggle. Its a shame as I always loved upgrading. It seems to me MS have decided on one set way to have your files and tool bars and have removed the option for change - That cant be good.

[Malisk]

Explorer options - I agree, and i think most people who were comfortable navigating with explorer really miss the "up" button. But, i think we'll eventually get used to the new method of navigation.

Alt + Up Arrow should still work though. Or simply Backspace. (but these two have some subtle differences in behavior)

[CrazyK]

Alt + Up Arrow should still work though. Or simply Backspace. (but these two have some subtle differences in behavior)

This just seems mad, you have methods of doing things which everyone is happy with and so you change it? Its meant to be an upgrade not just change for changes sake

[notuptome2004]

64 bit edition had some problems with my product key, ended up trying 3 different keys from MS, 3rd time lucky.

OS is stable, less customisation than XP which is a disappointment as I like to place things in certain places. The library feature seems basic and not really something I will use as I don't wish to include whole folders.

I know I have to use 7 as XP is now old but its going to be a struggle. Its a shame as I always loved upgrading. It seems to me MS have decided on one set way to have your files and tool bars and have removed the option for change - That cant be good.

well firstly windows 7 is very customizable more so then what XP is but i wont go on further as others will say somthing in the same lines.

as for libraries being basic you must not under stand how libraries function i will post soem tidbits for you so you know

Windows Explorer in Windows 7 supports Libraries, virtual folders described in a .library-ms file that aggregate content from various locations - including shared folders on networked systems - and present them in a unified view. Searching in a library automatically federates the query to the remote systems, in addition to searching on the local system, so that files on the remote systems are also searched. Unlike search folders, Libraries are backed by a physical locations which allows files to be saved in the Libraries. Such files are transparently saved in the backing physical folder. The default save location for a library may be configured by the user, as can the default view layout for each library. Libraries are generally stored in the Libraries special folder, which allows them to be displayed on the navigation pane.

By default, a new user account in Windows 7 contains four libraries, for different file types: Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos. They are configured to include the user's profile folders for these respective file types, as well as the computer's corresponding Public folders.

[johnporter29]

Downloaded the RC and installed on a Virtual PC using VirtualBox and all I can saw is WOW! What a excellent operating system. Can't wait to get the final version. Am considering installing it on my main system.

[CrazyK]

well firstly windows 7 is very customizable more so then what XP is but i wont go on further as others will say somthing in the same lines.

as for libraries being basic you must not under stand how libraries function i will post soem tidbits for you so you know

Windows Explorer in Windows 7 supports Libraries, virtual folders described in a .library-ms file that aggregate content from various locations - including shared folders on networked systems - and present them in a unified view. Searching in a library automatically federates the query to the remote systems, in addition to searching on the local system, so that files on the remote systems are also searched. Unlike search folders, Libraries are backed by a physical locations which allows files to be saved in the Libraries. Such files are transparently saved in the backing physical folder. The default save location for a library may be configured by the user, as can the default view layout for each library. Libraries are generally stored in the Libraries special folder, which allows them to be displayed on the navigation pane.

By default, a new user account in Windows 7 contains four libraries, for different file types: Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos. They are configured to include the user's profile folders for these respective file types, as well as the computer's corresponding Public folders.

Im having difficulty finding this extra customisation. So far I am unable to move taskbar folders or have them slide out instead of drop down. I find the drop downs get messy if you are looking for buried programs.

I must admit I don't understand the library feature but if its as good as people are saying then Im happy to try. From what I have seen of it so far it enables me to have a link to a file or folder which is somewhere else but it is not a shortcut. The first thing that gets me here is backups, do I backup the library or just the original storage location - but then what if I forget storage location as Im used to using the library? Im having difficulty getting my head around the point of the library? If Im using a file or folder that often why is so hard to get to and thus needing this library?

[Udedenkz]

Is there a Flip X or Y axis in Windows Photo Viewer? I can't find it.

Also, I just hardlinked my Firefox XP profile with my Firefox Windows 7 profile - so I have the same profile for two operating systems - so I am set :3

[FiB3R]

I just hardlinked my Firefox XP profile with my Firefox Windows 7 profile

How do you do that? :)

[prue3]

I voted

7

6

5

[Hawkeye666]

First I like Vista. I have to say that since so many people hated it. Windows 7 is without question faster and more polished than Vista, but it should be since it is really a x.1 version.

The new UI is a very nice refresh of the Vista UI. The super bar is one of my favorite features. I've had a few compatiblity issues with software but that is to be expected and doesn't deserve docking points to the O/S. Though I do wish Stardock would get more of my Eye candy ready for Win 7. I'm betting Windowsblinds and Superbar present some very interesting challenges, especially for backward compatilbility to Vista and XP while moving forward for Win7. My overall satisfaction in roughly a 6.5, under the assumption a 7 is nearly unattainable.

[Udedenkz]

How do you do that? :)

It is pretty much the same thing M$ done with Documents and Settings Folder - it is just a link.

You need VC++ 2005/2008 and a Shell Extension which you can google and install.

I also did it for Desktop - so I have the same desktop for XP and Windows 7. Although it ****es me off that W7 states that it is on C while actually it is on D - why confuse me so much?!

There is a sideeffect which I cannot get rid off or know why it happens - passwords do not get stored ???

[Routerbad]

7 -

7 - Everything compatible, although didn't pick up my IR device at first.

7

[PT 13]

Speed(speed of everything in that matter, boot, shut down, programs, etc)

7 (or even an 8, it's WAY better than vista was)

The looks

5 (I'm more of a GNOME type of guy...)

Overall

7 (Best OS from Microsoft yet)

[FiB3R]

passwords do not get stored

That's a deal breaker right there :(

Thread hijacks ftw :p